Chapel and Godly Play
Chapel provides an opportunity to inspire students to think how they can lead lives with meaning, purpose, faith and integrity. Our students learn through practice and guidance, compassion and humility, to make the world a better place.
Student Participation
Each child has an opportunity to serve in chapel, and as students move through Middle School, they have the opportunity to serve in Student Vestry. Our Chaplains encourage the students' creative involvement in chapel, with students participating in chapel skits, Advent and Holy Week celebrations, and the end-of-year Sheepfold chapel service, a traditional ceremony wishing eighth graders farewell.
Godly Play
Godly Play is a creative method of teaching children the art of religious language and developing in them an awareness of God's presence. Primary School students receive weekly Godly Play instruction. First through fourth grade students receive Godly Play instruction throughout the year.
Toby, Social and Emotional Support Therapy Dog
Welcome Toby, a therapy dog in training, who will be working with Chaplain Newsom as an integral part of our Primary and Lower School Chapel Program. He will attend chapels, meet and greet, and visit classrooms upon request and with permission. As a therapy dog team, Toby will provide social and emotional support for our community, and he always be on leash with Chaplain Newsom or in his kennel.
About Toby
Toby is a nine-month-old Goldendoodle. He has had extensive training over the past seven months as a therapy dog, and as part of his training, he will receive his K9 Good Citizen certificate in October 2024. Additionally, Toby and Chaplain Newsom will finalize their therapy dog team certification with Pet Partners in Spring 2025.
Therapy dogs provide many benefits. First and foremost, they can be a tangible example of unconditional love and acceptance. They may help students learn compassion, empathy, responsibility, respect, and self-discipline. Additionally, trained therapy dogs offer comfort and non-judgmental love. Studies have proven that even a short amount of time with a therapy animal can decrease levels of anxiety and increase emotional security.
Guidelines for SJES community:
- Ask the human first, and the dog second if you can say hello. Quiet. Palm up and invite him into you.
- Never touch a dog when on he/she is working “PLACE” on raised mat.
- Speak in a calm, neutral tone, don't scream and come running up to him.
- Leave dogs alone when they are eating or resting
- Pet gently in the direction the hair goes.
- Keep your arms down and low – especially when walking a dog.
- "JUST BE” – calm, patient; Dogs can feel your energy